How to Review Your Book Proof
Complete guide to reviewing your formatted book proof effectively and providing clear feedback.
Reviewing your formatted book proof is one of the most important steps in the publishing process. This is your chance to catch any issues before your book goes live. Follow this comprehensive guide to ensure you don't miss anything important.
1What to Look For
Focus your review on these key areas to ensure your book is perfect.
💡 Pro Tips
- Front matter (title page, copyright, dedication, table of contents)
- Chapter headings and page breaks
- Headers and footers (page numbers, book title, author name)
- Paragraph spacing and indentation
- Font consistency throughout
- Image placement and quality (if applicable)
- Table of contents links (for ebooks)
- Back matter (about the author, other books, acknowledgments)
2Review in the Right Environment
Set yourself up for success with the proper review environment.
Use a Large Screen
Review on a computer or tablet, not your phone. You need to see details clearly.
Good Lighting
Review in a well-lit room to reduce eye strain and catch subtle issues.
Take Breaks
Review in 30-45 minute sessions. Fresh eyes catch more errors.
Print a Sample (Optional)
For print books, consider ordering a proof copy to see how it looks in physical form.
3Page-by-Page Review Process
Follow this systematic approach to review every page.
Start with Front Matter
Check title page, copyright page, dedication, and table of contents for accuracy.
Review Chapter Openings
Ensure each chapter starts on the correct page (usually odd/right-hand pages).
Check Headers and Footers
Verify page numbers are correct and headers match your specifications.
Scan Body Text
Look for widow/orphan lines, awkward page breaks, and spacing issues.
Review Back Matter
Check about the author, acknowledgments, and any additional content.
💡 Pro Tips
- Use the zoom function to check small details
- Read backwards (last page to first) to focus on formatting, not content
- Check every page - don't skip sections you think are "probably fine"
4Common Issues to Watch For
These are the most common formatting issues authors find during review.
⚠️ Important
- Widow lines (single line at top of page)
- Orphan lines (single line at bottom of page)
- Inconsistent spacing between paragraphs
- Chapter titles not aligned consistently
- Page numbers missing or incorrect
- Images pixelated or poorly placed
- Table of contents not matching actual chapters
- Headers showing on pages where they shouldn't (like chapter openings)
5Providing Clear Feedback
How to communicate changes effectively.
Be Specific
Instead of "fix spacing", say "Please add 0.5 line spacing between paragraphs on page 47".
Reference Page Numbers
Always include the page number where the issue occurs.
Use Screenshots
For complex issues, take a screenshot and circle the problem area.
Prioritize Issues
Mark critical issues separately from nice-to-have changes.
💡 Pro Tips
- Create a numbered list of all changes needed
- Group similar issues together (e.g., all spacing issues)
- Distinguish between errors and personal preferences
6Ebook-Specific Checks
Additional items to verify for ebook formats.
Test on Multiple Devices
Preview on Kindle, iPad, and phone to see how it looks on different screens.
Check Clickable Links
Verify table of contents links work and take you to the right chapters.
Test Font Sizing
Change the font size in your ereader to ensure text reflows properly.
Verify Images
Check that images display clearly and are properly sized.
7Print Book-Specific Checks
Additional items to verify for print formats.
Check Margins
Ensure text isn't too close to edges, especially the gutter (spine area).
Verify Bleed
If you have full-bleed images, check they extend to the edge properly.
Review Page Count
Confirm the total page count matches your expectations and pricing.
Check Odd/Even Pages
Chapters should start on odd (right-hand) pages for professional look.
A thorough review now saves headaches later. Take your time, be systematic, and don't hesitate to ask questions if you're unsure about something. Remember, this is YOUR book - it should be exactly how you want it!
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